The American Religious and Political Landscape

Discover the faith of the 2012 Presidential election candidates and the religious history of the United States.

Christian Themes in America

“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States. President Eisenhower formalized the motto in a law he signed in 1956. The motto originated from a poem, The Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. It became the national anthem in 1933. In it Key penned: “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! … And this be our motto: In God is our trust.”

Inscribing “In God We Trust” onto U.S. currency was introduced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Chase in 1863.

Oaths

“So help me God,” is often added to oaths taken by the president, federal executive and legislative branch officers, the federal judiciary, and is also commonly used by sworn-in state and local officials. The Supreme Court opens each session with the phrase, “God save the United States and this Honorable Court.”